Winter Haven, FL. – RV Dominican University Baseball continued the RussMatt Invitational with a single game against Pennsylvania-based opponent Juniata at the Chain O' Lakes on Sunday.
Results:
RV Dominican: 7
Juniata: 6
How it Happened:
-After a scoreless top half of the first for DU, Juniata tacked on three runs in the bottom of the first.
-The Stars responded quickly, as Junior
Alex Garcia and Sophomore
Marco Stawski both scored on Juniata errors in the top of the second to make cut the early deficit to 3-2.
-Junior
Langdon Downing bounced back on the mound, throwing four straight scoreless innings.
-In the top of the sixth, Senior
Zach Helein led off with a single, followed by a single by Senior
Ricky Powell. Senior
Tyler Johnson was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Garcia took a walk, bringing in Helein from third. Powell then scored on a wild pitch, giving the Stars a 4-3 lead.
-The Eagles answered quickly in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single to knot up the game at 4-4.
-Dominican would regain the lead, this time at 5-4, at the top of the seventh, as a single by Helein brought in Junior
Aidan Groberski, who had taken a walk previously in the inning.
-Juniata tied up the ball game at 5-5 with a solo shot in the bottom of the 7
th.
-The Stars were held scoreless in the top of the eighth, and Juniata capitalized, grabbing a 6-5 lead heading into the final inning.
-Looking for a rally in the top of the ninth, Helein led off with a walk. Powell then bunted Helein to second. Senior
Matthew Earley reached first via a walk. With runners on first and second, Senior
Niko Krecu stepped up and launched a double over the head of the Juniata center fielder, scoring both Earley and Helein, giving the Stars a 7-6 lead.
-In the bottom of the ninth, Junior
Kian Flynn shut the door on Juniata, as a 1-2-3 inning secured the comeback victory for Dominican with a final score of 7-6.
Shining Stars:
-Senior
Niko Krecu was 2-5, including the game-winning RBI double in the top of the ninth.
-Senior
Zach Helein finished 2-4 with an RBI and a walk.
-Senior
Ricky Powell went 2-3 with two sacrifice bunts.
-Junior
Kian Flynn picked up the win and save in relief for the Stars, throwing 1.2 innings and 2 strikeouts.
Leading the Way:
Hits: Krecu, Helein, and Powell (2)
2B: Krecu and Garcia (1)
RBI: Krecu (2)
SB: Stawski and Groberski (1)
HBP: 4 Players (1)
IP: Downing (5.2)
Ks: Downing (4)
What's Next:
RV Dominican University Baseball improved to 5-1 (0-0 NACC) on the 2026 season. The Stars will prepare for a single game against Utica on Tuesday, March 10
th. First pitch in Winter Haven is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET.
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